Hadn’t hiked the westside Presidio trails above Baker Beach in a while, up to the trailhead for the Sand Ladder at Lincoln. Whatta change from yesterday’s heat, today being foggy and cool with a refreshing breeze. This started out as a vigorous uphill trek, guaranteed to warm one up quickly on a chilly day.

Began the long hike at California & 25th Ave. A couple blocks north and a right turn will take you into the vast Presidio’s westside. Below Lincoln (and the north trailhead for the Lobos Creek Trail) is Gibson which will take you down to Baker Beach west.

Stayed on trails just above the beach until reaching the first beach stairway (first pic). Here chose a thick-sand trail that shortly ascended to a main trail. At Lincoln climbed over the auto barrier and crossed over to the Connector Trail. Headed up its 208 steps (second pic), pausing for a moment on the dedicated log bench with the inscription “Happy Trails Forever."

At Immigrant Point at the top of the stairway, crossed to climb the short Anza Trail stairway, then back down to head east on Compton, across from the residences. Passed the West Washington Neighborhood Community Garden which is out in the open for all to walk by and admire (next to a fenced kids’ playground and near the old wine bunker).

At the east end of these residences one of my favorite forested trails meanders along below Washington Blvd.

Out at Park Blvd. chose to continue east past one of the Amatury Loop stairways (third foto), now on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Just above, on the south side, is another residential area and below is a beautiful wild forested area. This trail will take the hiker directly out to the Cemetery Overlook.

Continued curving round on Washington, then onto Arguello, past the Spire on my right and eventually Inspiration Point Overlook on my left, mostly walking in the bike lane. Back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail, shortly exited the park at the Arguello Gate.